Violence Escalates in Nepal Following Social Media Ban
The death toll in Nepal has reached 25 as protests erupted over the government’s decision to block access to 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which failed to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. This measure has been labelled by many young people as an attack on freedom of expression, reports 24brussels.
Amid escalating violence, three more protesters succumbed to their injuries at the Civil Hospital, while two others were killed in armed clashes with police in Kalimati, Kathmandu. The situation grew more dire as local media sources reported that over 900 inmates escaped from Kaski prison during a protest-led assault, which also resulted in fires being set in several other facilities.
In a shocking turn of events, Khabarhub stated that Nakkhu Jail in Lalitpur was left completely deserted as guards fled, leading to the escape of around 1,500 inmates. This alarming security lapse has prompted widespread concern across the region.
The violence also affected law enforcement, culminating in the brutal killing of three police officers who had surrendered during a mob attack in the Kathmandu district of Koteshwor. Witnesses detailed that the rioters set fire to the police station before dragging the officers into the street and lynching them, prompting police to label the incident as a “barbaric act” reflective of the severe security crisis plaguing the capital.
Significant state buildings, including the Parliament, Supreme Court, Presidency, and various ministerial residences—including that of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli—have also been set ablaze. As chaos unfolds, authorities have closed Kathmandu’s airport, exacerbating the political crisis following the resignation of Prime Minister Oli and at least five members of his Cabinet in an unsuccessful attempt to quell the unrest.
In a tragic instance amid the chaos, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died from serious injuries sustained when her home was set ablaze during the protests.
As large-scale looting and vandalism persist, a curfew has been imposed in Kathmandu from 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time. The army has been deployed in coordination with security forces in response to the escalating violence.
These protests were initially sparked by the government’s ban on a social media group not registered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Despite the government’s lifting of the ban last week, unrest has continued to spread beyond Kathmandu into other cities, fueled by demands for transparency and accountability regarding these platforms.
